Equipment for underwater photography and related uses



EQUIPMENT FOR UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY AND RELATED USES D. J. BYERS March27, 1962 United States This invention relates to new and usefulimprovements in equipment for underwater photography and related uses.Particularly, the invention is directed to new and useful means forprotecting and facilitating operation of equipment of the type ofcameras and photographic instruments under conditions encountered by aswimmer or diver. v

This application is a continuation of my application, Serial No.420,338, tiled April l, 1954 now abandoned.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cover for use inprotecting equipment of the typev of cameras and photographicinstruments that will not only protect the photographic equipment fromwater but that will also inclose a body of entrapped air, sufficient involume to `provide the buoyancy necessary to cause the entire assemblyin event of accidental release from the hands of the operator, to risein the water and float on the surf-ace for ready recovery.V

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a specialexterior finder which will be clearly visible to the operator of thephotographic equipment when under water.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide anarrangement whereby the special exterior finder and the coveredvcameraare maintained in fixed relative position.

lt is a further object of the present invention to provide meansespecially-adapted to meet the needs of the free swimming or scubadiver, for protection of photographic equipment.

`Further objects of the invention include over-coming certaindisadvantages in presently available underwater.

photographic equipment. Other objects and advantages -according to thepresent invention will become manifest in the course of the followingdisclosure.

VIt is a matter of note that the recent development of improved types ofdiving gear has greatly increased the capacity of a diver to move freelyfor prolonged periods of time in an underwater environment.V Thispossibility has arisen very largely as a result of the development ofunderwater breathing apparatus, of` the type exemplified by the AqualungApparatus of this type enables a human being to descend in the Water toconsiderable depths, unencumbered with heavy diving gear and free fromdependence upon a surfacesupply of air. kThe pioneer investigations Vinthis eld have stimulated widespread interest, and have given rise to anentire new iield o-f'activity including recreational occupations andspecialized professional military, commercial, and scientiiicemployments.

Essentially the Aqualung comprises a. cylinder charged with compressedair, a tube and mouthpiece to deliver air tothe diver and a valve,responsive to the pressure of the water, which regulates the pressure ofthe air received by the diver. yAdditional articles of equiprnent whichmay be used byy the'diver are buoyancy regu` lating weights, mask orgoggles, swimming `flippers and protective clothing. It may'alsobefnoted that the rise of interest in this form of activity is reliectedby an expansion in swimming and diving as a sport, and as a methodof1scientic exploration. Thedetails in regard kto thisbackgro'undrequire no amplification inasmuch f. YICC as they form no part of theprent invention, and are cited merely to indicate the utility andadaptability of the invention. Y

Proceeding in accordance with my invention, I have found that it ispossible to provide an article which greatly facilitates the carryingout of underwater photography, and which to a notable degree obviatesdisadvantages hitherto encountered.

Whereas the several features and novel improvements which characterizethe present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claimsannexed to and forming a part of this specification, for betterunderstanding of the invention, andthe advantages and speciiic objectsthereof, reference is made to the accompanying. drawings and descriptivematter wherein there are illustrated and described certain preferredembodiments of the inven-l tion.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cover composed of a yielding portionand a fixed portion whereon is mounted a camera of conventional design,and whereon also is mounted a finding device. p

FIG. 2 is a sectional View taken at a vertical plane passing through thecenter of the camera lens and the center line of the finding device ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention whereinthree windows are provided in fixed relationship to the camera.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a further form of the invention wherein aiioating window is provided.

FIG. 5 is an exterior view on reduced scale showing the entire cover.

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 are views showing the manner of closing one end ofthe yllexible or yielding4 portiony of the cover.

Referring now to the drawings, there is shown a cover comprising ayielding portion 20 and a rigid portion 2l. The yielding portion ispermanently closedat one end in the manner shown in FlG. 5 at 23, and isopen at the opposite end, as shown in FIG. 5 at 22. It may be noted thatthe relative positions of the closed and open ends may be reversed, orif preferred, both ends may be open. The flexible portion thus formspart of the cover, and is in the nature of a bag'. The latter isprovided with a cutaway portion 24 `forming an opening in the iront sideof the bag, in the form illustrated. It may be noted that if theyielding or bag-like portion of the cover is formed from transparentmaterial, it may not be'neces.- sary to provide same with a cutawayportion.

Attached to the flexible portion of the cover shown in FIG. l, is therigid portion'Zl. As shown this comprises a right angled bracket towhich the camera is iixe'dly attached, the bottom part or platform partfor-ming a support for the camera and yfor the attaching means 26 (shownin FIG. 2), and the vertical part 27 constituting the inner pane of awindow.

Attached to the vertical part of the braolretavindow is an exterior pane23, affixed by means of bolts or rivets 29. The inner and outer panes ofthe window are thus rmly compressed upon the edges of the cut-awayportion 24 of the flexible portion of the cover, thereby providing awater tight seal. Thus also,.the flexible portion and the rigid portionare consolidated `into a single protective cover or envelope for thecamera. l

, I n the form of the invention shown in FIG. l, there is affixed to thefixed portion of the cover, by means of the, bolts or rivets 29, afinder 3ft?, which extends outside of the cover, and which consists ofan eyeV 31 and cross-wires 32 mounted in a frame. This finder enablesthe operator to orient the camera toward the objectto be photographed. I

In FIG. 3, there is shown a form of the invention wherein the flexibleportion 2i) is substantiallyrthe same by said camera and contains formabracket 42 is provided which extends yas shown on four sides of thecamera, in a form approaching a square. The upper windo'w` and the rearWindow 314 are constructed in the same manner as the front window which`virtually reproduces the construction of the-Window shown in FIGS. 1land 2 An exterior linder may be provided yhaving an eye mounted at 35and a forward cross-wire mounted at 36, although the exterior linder maybe dispensed with in this modilication for reasons that will bedescribed. Except for the change in means of attachment, the exteriorfinder is identical with that lshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and is notfurther illustrated in FIG. 3.

In FIG.Y4, there is shown a modification provided with a rearwardlypositioned oating window 37, which is not rigidly attached to lthebracket.

Referring generally to the invention as shown in FIGS. l, 2, 3, and 4,therl'flexible portion 2o is composed of any suitable thin, pliant,water-resistant materia-l such as rubber or cxible plastic material.VThe bracket and window elements are composed'of transparent mate-rialand for this purpose I have found transparent rigid plastic sheetmaterial to be suitable. While glass may bevemployed, especially for theYouter panes '28, I prefer a clear'transparent stiff plastic sheetmaterial for this purpose.

VWhile any suitable means may be employed for closing Y the open end ofthe yielding portion yof the cover, I have found the method illustratedin FIGS. 5 through 9 to be satisfactory. Asfshown, the lips3l3- and 39are brought together in the manner shown in FIG. 6r. Thereafter a fold40 is made at the end. Following this a double bend Y in the fold ismade as shown in FIG. 8, and brought smoothly together as shown inf FIG.V9. A clamp (not shown) ofrconventional design may be then attached tohold the folds in permanent sealed contact.

' The platform part of the bracket can be provided with Y any suitablemeans for attaching the camera.

While if it is desired to 'adapt the cover `only to one camera, Ihavefound that a single perforation drilled in the platform Ywillserve'satisfactorily, the camera being attached by a conventional set.screw having a knurled knob, for purpose of accommodation of other typesor shapes of camera,rslots cut in the platform, or other adjustablemeans may be employed.;YK Y

The operation of my invention is as lfollows: i' l p Referring to thedrawings, the `yielding portion Ztl), together with the Vfixed portion'Z1 vforms an envelope that Y is waterproof and that completelysurrounds the camera.' The latter is inserted through the open end 212of'the envelope, and aiixed to the platform V255 by Aknob 26. ToVreceive the aixingxmeans, vholes or Vslots are provided in theplatform, Vwhereby the camera may be Ysuitable aligned. VWhen the camerahas been xed in place, Vthe open end kof the envelope lis'closedtightly, as shown in Y FIGS. 5 through 9. The envelope surrounds theYcamera loosely and dein'es a space larger than the space occupied Yafter closing acertain amount of entrapped air.

The device may be cons'trm'stedk to 'accommodatel a cameraof singledesign, or it may be'c'onstructed to acvconnn'odate.cameras of diiferenttypes. yIn any event, the construction ofthe V,rigid 'portion should besuch as to`,facilitate usegofthe-op'tical elements of the camera. YThe-,camera lens normally will be substantially centered Y behind thewindow, and the finder may be aligned with the line of sight 'from theeyeof the oper-atorto theobject to be photographed. The placementorftherfvvindow with respecttothe portions of thecamera to `be broughtunder observation is within the Yskill ofthe art. In the drawings, the'apparentslight departure from thevr operating lineof sight is anaccommodation ofthe drawings,

'adlobyiolsly iS 'IlO designed as a limitation on the construction. Y y

Y' tively inert gas or atmosphere within thefenvelope,` that,

As previously described, the yielding portion is composed of relativelythin sheet material, preferably but not necessarilyk transparent, waterand moisture-resistant, tough and pliant. For this purpose rubber issuitable, or one of the numerous plastic materials available on themarket. This Vportion interposes a barrier against ingress of moistureand water, but does not prevent the operator of the camera from reachingthe controls, grasping, and move same at Will. There is full ease ofmovement, and accessibility. The thin material is brought into directcontact with the p'a-rt of the camera grasped by the operator, andinterposes no moreimpediment to handling than would be experienced ifthe hand of the operator were encased in a thin glove.

If desired, in order to provide control of the entrapped atmosphere, ahumidity controlling means such as a moisture absorbent v'material maybe suitablyfcoutained .in the envelope or a heating element may befurnished.

freely movable relationship of the envelope to vthe camera insofar asthe flexible portion of the envelope is concerned. The operatorconsequently can quickly and without diliculty yor preadjustment, reachany part of the cameraat will. .Y g

The air entrapped in the envelope serves the further purpose ofconstituting a pneumatic body which, in event of loss of the cameraunderwater, will float the camera to the surface where it can be readilyrecovered. It will be readily understood that the volume of entrappedair may be apportioned to lthe weight of the equipment. Since, accordingto the invention, the envelope ts loosely, it may be not onlyindividually proportioned to suit the particular camera size, but anyparticular size envelope will accommodate a certain variation in camerasize, andV further, the envelope may be adjusted to contain variousvolumes of air. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, 'thephotographer has merely to insert the camera through the opening 22, andafter aixing the 4 Y The volume of air required Vfor flotation of theais'sem`- bly maybe most easily determined by the user by simply ltightening the clamp Vand immersing'k the assembly 4in water. Forconstruction'purposes those skilled in Ythe art canreadily vcalculatethe necessary size of the cover from the Weight of the equipment thecover is intended to contain. The sizeof the cover should be such as toprovide abody of in'closed air thevolume of which when converted toWeight based on the Yknown density of ,Y water, should somewhat exceedthe weight of the coni tained yequipment-in brief, should be sufficientto provide buoyancy. 7 v

While I have'found ordinary, atmospheric, unconditioned air toserve'satisfactorily asV the: gaseous content vof the envelope, it isentirely feasible to maintain dehumidilied or conditionedV air, or anyother inert or relamay be desired, for long submersion or otherpurposes. As many Windows maybe provided asrdesired. In FIGS. l and 2, Ihave. illustrated a'forrn wherein but one Windowis provided. In FIG. 3,three windows arepro-V A vided, afront windowfthrough which the pictureYmaybe taken,V a `rear Window for observation through the iinderi,

` and a top window for observation'of thesetting Aofthe controls. Thelatter embodiment` contemplates -a Vring-V like plastic transparentmountingopen left and right'to providelaccessibility. I-n FIG. V4aheating/"rear window ,Y is shown,whichfhas the `aclvfrlhta`geo-ffadjustabilityfto envelope will suffice for purposes Y variousdesigns of cameras, the window being movable in any direction, withinthe scope of operating orientation.

As hereinbefore described, the fixed mounting portion provides suchlimitation upon the free relationship between the camera and theiiexible portion as may be desired. Also, the rigid portion providesmeans for mounting exterior controls if desired, as for example, thefinder means illustrated in FIGS. l and 2. The latter thus may bemounted in iixed relationship to the camera. The advantage of thisprovision of special externally disposed nder means will be understoodwhen it is considered that the normally provided iinder of the inclosedcamera is rendered non-visible by the interposition of the cover. Theexternally mounted sighting device according to the present invention,on the other hand, will be visible to the photographer and since it isiixed in rela* tionship to the camera will enable the operator toaccurately sight and properly orient the camera. The dimensions of thefinder means preferably should be proportioned so that the frame portion30 will approximately outline that portion of the field of view thatcoincides with the picture frame of the photographic iilm.

From the herein description it follows that the iixed portion may beprovided with transparent areas, which preferably may be established byformingV the interior part of the rigid portion of a single integralunit of transparent material. The external panes which clamp the edgesof the openings in the iiexible portion to the interior mount, may be ofthe same material, although my invention contemplates the use of adifferent material if desired. There are available a number of suitablestii lighttransmitting plastic materials which are well adapted to theconstruction of the xed portion or portions of the envelope. As will beunderstood by those skilled in the art, preference is for material ofsuicient mechanical strength, and transparency. Glass may be used.However, it is contemplated to employ any type of light transmittingmaterial for the Windows that may be preferred for particularoperations, as for example, light filtering glass or plastic to modifythe quality of the light entering the envelope.

From the foregoing description and illustrations of em bodiments oi myinvention, further details within the scope thereof will be apparent tothose skilled in the aat, or may vbe further developed. I have set forththe aforesaid examples by way of illustration and not of limitation, andwhat I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is `as follows:

A cover for use in protecting equipment of the type of cameras andphotographic instruments, and the controls thereon, from the deleteriouseffects of water, comprising a yielding portion and a rigid portion,said yielding portion being formed of thin, pliant, water-imperviousmaterial, said rigid portion being formed of relatively stii material,and comprising a window and an internally disposed platform rigidlyattached to said window, said yielding portion being attached to saidwindow by a Water-tight seal about the periphery of said window, saidplatform being provided with means for mounting said equipment thereon,said yielding portion constituting a cover loosely surrounding saidequipment and said controls, said cover being normally out of contactwith said equipment, except at said platform mounting, said cover beingwater-tight and air-tight, said yielding portion normally extending outof contact with and away from said camera, said cover being of a size inproportion to said equipment to contain a body of entrapped lair,suicient to iioat the entire assembly, said yielding portion beingmovable with respect to said camera whereby and wherethrough thecontrols of the camera maybe reached and manually operated, and anexternally disposed visual sighting means mounted on said window.

References Cited in the ijle of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,535,312 Hosking Apr. 28, 1925 2,537,303 Cobb Jan. 9, 1951 2,926,572Weiss Mar. 1, 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 902,849 Germany Ian. 28, 1954 421,584Italy May 28, 1947 OTHER REFERENCES Publication: Article entitledUnderwater Photography, in The Camera, February 1937, pages 95-99.

Publication: A second article entitled Underwater Photography, by J. B.Collins, in The Photographic Journal, volume B, 1950, pages 28 and 29.

